• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • PRICE LISTS
    • PRICE LIST: NAILS
    • PRICE LIST: MAKE-UP
  • CONTACT
  • SHOP
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • FAQ
    • Nails FAQ
    • Make-up FAQ
  • T&Cs
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Rambling Rose Nails & Make-up

  • Price Lists
    • Nails
    • Make-up
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Articles
    • How to … & Tutorials
    • Make-up brushes & tools
    • Nails
    • Product Reviews
  • Contact
  • T&Cs

Make-up Brush Guide

July 20, 2020 | Articles | Leave a Comment

brush guideBuying make-up brushes can be a daunting task, especially if you’re just starting out or you want to add to your existing collection but don’t really know what brushes you may need, what they’re used for, or what they look like.  This is where a make-up brush guide comes in handy.

There are a few essential brush ‘must haves’ that should be in your make-up kit. If used correctly, these brushes will help you create flawless, beautifully applied make-up: powder brush, blush brush, eye shadow brush, blending brush, angled brush, eyeliner brush, mascara wand and a lip brush.

To help you decide which brushes you may want or what you still need to get, here’s a make-up brush guide, showing what each brush looks like, and what it’s used for, and at the end there’s also a guide of other useful make-up tools that you may encounter:

foundation brushFoundation Brush.  A flat brush usually with two-toned bristles. Can also be round with a flat top. Used for applying liquid or cream foundation, or to smooth out foundation after applying it with your fingers.


Concealer Brush
Concealer Brush. A narrow, flat brush with a slightly tapered edge. Used for applying colour corrector and concealer to problem areas.


powder brush
Powder Brush.  A big, soft, rounded brush. Used for applying loose or compact powder.  Gives a more even finish than a puff.


fan brush
Fan Brush. A flat, light brush with splayed bristles. Used to brush away loose eye shadow or excess powder.


kabuki brush
Kabuki Brush. A large brush with wide, round or flat bristles and a short handle. For apply mineral powder or loose powder by using a circular motion to buff it onto your skin. Can also be used to apply liquid foundation.


mineral powder brush
Mineral Powder Brush.  Looks similar to a blush brush, but has a flat top. Used to apply mineral foundation using a circular motion.


angled brush
Angled Brush.  A firm, angled brush. Used for
filling in eyebrows with brow powder or eye shadow.  Can also be used to apply gel eyeliner for a thicker line.


eyebrow brush & eyelash comb
Eyebrow Brush & Eyelash comb.  Narrow row of long, stiff bristles with a comb on the opposite side. The bristled brush is used to groom or brush eyebrows.  The comb is used to remove mascara clumps from eye lashes.


eyeshadow brush
Eyeshadow Brush. A small, soft brush with a slightly rounded or angled tip. Used to apply powder and cream eye shadows.


blending brush
Blending Brush.  Oval shaped brush. Used to blend eye shadows together after applying with an eye shadow brush, for a seamless gradient.


eyeliner brush
Eyeliner Brush. Narrow, pointed tip.  Looks like a small paint brush. Used for applying liquid or gel eyeliner or shadow as a liner.


mascara wand / brush
Mascara Brush.  Clean, dry mascara wand. Used for brushing out mascara clumps and separating lashes after mascara has been applied with wand in mascara tube. For more info, see post “Mascara: How to be clump free“.


contouring brush
Contouring Brush.  Angled blusher brush. Used for applying a darker blush or contouring powder along the hollow under your cheekbone.  Also used for bronzer.


blush brush
Blush Brush.  Soft, rounded brush, smaller than a powder brush. Used to apply blush to your cheekbones.


lipstick brush
Lipstick Brush.  Small, flat, firm brush with tapered tip. For applying lipstick.


Other useful make-up tools:


cosmetic spongeCosmetic sponge or wedge. Used to apply foundation, but will absorb lots of product.  Rather run wedge lightly over foundation (if applied with fingers) to blot excess.  Use to tidy up under eyes after applying eye shadow, eyeliner or mascara. Can also be used to correct blusher. See post “Beautiful Blusher”.


beauty blender
Beauty Blender. Similar to a cosmetic sponge or wedge. Used damp for applying liquid or cream foundation.


eyeshadow applicator
Eyeshadow applicator. Used for smudging eyeliner.


Cotton bud or Q-Tip
Cotton bud or Q-Tip. For cleaning up smudges or mistakes.  Dip into eye make-up remover to clean up smudged eyeliner or lipstick.


powder puff
Powder Puff. Pat powder over concealer on blemishes and problem areas, this will set the concealer.  Can be used to apply powder to an oily skin. For more, see post “Powder:  Loose or Pressed?”


Good brushes may be expensive but if you take good care of them, they can last for years.  If you’re looking for a great starter set, check out Real Techniques’ Core Collection Set, also be sure to read my next post: “How to clean make-up brushes”.

I hope you found this make-up brush guide helpful.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Matte pink and black hibiscus manicure
About

Debbie is a qualified nail technician and freelance make-up artist, based in Army Bay, Whangaparaoa (Auckland).

Debbie studied nail technology at Monaco Nail Academy (qualified in 2015), and uses the Artistic Nail Design range which includes Colour Gloss gel polish, Artistic Putty (also known as PolyGel), and Rock Hard LED Gel.

Debbie also holds CIBTAC and ITEC qualifications in make-up artistry, and obtained these in 2010 and 2012 respectively.

Disclaimer

I do not receive monetary compensation for any of the product reviews posted on my blog. All reviews are based on my own personal opinion after purchasing and using the products myself.

If I am approached by a company to review a product for them at any time (or am paid to do so), this will be mentioned in the relevant post. Being given free products, or being paid to promote a product will not change my personal honest opinion of the product.

Please bear in mind that every body is unique, and although I may not have an allergic reaction to the make-up or skincare products that I have reviewed, your skin may react differently. Wherever possible, please patch test new make-up and skincare products on yourself before purchasing them.

Thank you,
Debbie
Rambling Rose Nails & Make-up

Recent Posts

  • By Nature Daily Moisturiser
  • Brightening Night Cream
  • Radiance Boosting Face Serum
  • Which cleanser, toner and moisturiser to use for your skin type
  • White Spots on nails
  • By Nature Cleansing Gel

Categories

  • Articles
  • How to … & Tutorials
  • Make-up brushes & tools
  • Nails
  • Product Reviews
Getting married in Level 3, but can’t get your n Getting married in Level 3, but can’t get your nails done? We have various sets of press-on nails (glue on) in our online store. Use link in bio and find the Shop in the menu bar, or head over to www.ramblingrose.co.nz/shop to see what’s currently available. 

#pressonnails #pressons #fakenails #glueonnails #pressonnailsforsale #glueonnailsforsale #ramblingrosenails #lockdownnails #lockdownnz #marriedinlockdown #bridalnails #weddingnails #weddingpressons #weddingpressonnails #bridalpressonnails #peachandgold #peachandgoldnails #lovemarriageprenup
As per tonight’s Covid announcement, Auckland is As per tonight’s Covid announcement, Auckland is going into Level 3 lockdown at 6am tomorrow morning for seven days. This means that I have to cancel all appointments for the next week, and close my business temporarily.  I have already contacted all clients who were booked in from Tuesday to Saturday, informing them of this. 

I will only be able to reopen the salon and rebook appointments once we move into Level 2.  The online booking system will be reactivated once we move into Level 2. 

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support. 
Stay safe x

#staysafe #covidlockdown #temporarilyclosed #ramblingrosenails #nailswhangaparaoa #whangaparaoa
Are you ready for Autumn nail art vibes, or are yo Are you ready for Autumn nail art vibes, or are you still clinging on to bright Summery nails? 

#nailart #nails #summernails #autumnnails #autumnnails🍁 #ramblingrosenails #birdnailart #feathernailart #bluenails #bluenails💙 #goldnails #goldnails💅 #monacograd #learnatmonaco #artisticnaildesign #artisticcolourgloss #graceful #gorgeous #gelpolish #gelpolishmanicure #gelpolishmani #nailswhangaparaoa #nailsnz #nznails #nailtechnz #whangaparaoa #blueandgold #goldandblue
Fun fact for your Saturday morning 🙂 #funfacts Fun fact for your Saturday morning 🙂

#funfacts #nailfacts #nailartfacts #nailart #ramblingrosenails #saturdayfacts #justforfun #incanailart #birdnailart #eaglenailart
When it's a client's birthday and she wants "Unico When it's a client's birthday and she wants "Unicorn nails" ...

#unicornnails #rainbownails #pastelnails #ombrenails #ombrénails #unicornsandrainbows #unicornmanicure #rainbowmanicure #ramblingrosenails #learnatmonaco #monacograd #becreativepigments #prettypigments #artisticnaildesign #artisticcolourgloss #wild #yellowgelpolish #halo #holographicglitter #gelpolishmanicure #gelpolishmani #gelpolishandpigments #holographicglitterpolish #prettynails #sparklynails #birthdaynails #rainbowsandunicorns
And you always feel better when your nails look be And you always feel better when your nails look beautiful.

#beautifulnails #nightwithoutstars #nailquotes #agirlwithoutbeautifulnails #agirlwithoutbeautifulnailsislikeanightwithoutstars #ramblingrosenails #likeanightwithoutstars
I love the colour combination that this client cho I love the colour combination that this client chose for their PolyGel extensions.

Artistic Colour Gloss in Fashionista, Goddess and Gear to my Heart.

#polygel #polygelnails #polygelextensions #nailextensions #nailenhancements #ramblingrosenails #monacograd #learnatmonaco #multicolouredmani #multicolouredmanicure #artisticnaildesign #artisticcolourgloss #gelpolish #fashionista #purplenails #goddess #rosegoldnails #geartomyheart #cameopink #rosepink #duskypink #duskypinknails #artisticputty #artisticputtypolygel #multicolourednails
Just for a laugh (but it's true)! 🤣 #nailtech Just for a laugh (but it's true)! 🤣

#nailtech #nailtechnician #adayinthelifeofanailtech #runningoncoffee #highonnailpolish #highonnailpolishremover #nailquotes #ramblingrosenails #nevertoomanypolishes #toomanypolishes #toomanychoices #definitionofanailtech #upliftingyourmood #happinessisanewmani #happinessisanewmanicure #happinessishavingyournailsdone #whatsyourprofession
Who else loves wearing purple nail polish? #purp Who else loves wearing purple nail polish? 

#purplenails #purplenails💜 #geometricnailart #stripes #gelpolishmanicure #gelpolishmani #ramblingrosenails #nailswhangaparaoa #whangaparaoa #artisticnaildesign #artisticcolourgloss #fly #artisticcolourglossfly #purpleandwhitenails #glitternails #glitterombrenails #glitterombre #stripesandglitter #monacograd #learnatmonaco #purpleandsilver #purpleandsilvernails #wouldyouwearthese #gelpolishnails #gelpolishonnaturalnails
For those of you who can't afford a gel polish man For those of you who can't afford a gel polish manicure every three weeks, we have buffing blocks for sale.  Buffing your natural nails helps to improve blood circulation to the nail plate, it gives them a shiny finish without the use of nail polish, and makes them look pretty and well maintained. 

You can find these buffing blocks (along with a few other at-home nail essentials) in our online store www.ramblingrose.co.nz/shop or use the link in the bio and navigate to the shop on the menu bar.  We ship throughout NZ (rural courier fees apply).

#naturalnails #buffingblocks #buffyournails #shinynails #shinynails💅 #buffandshine #naturalnailmanicure #basicmanicure #ramblingrosenails #spongebuffer #nailbuffer #nailblock #shoponlinenz #supportlocalnz #nzsmallbusiness

Copyright © 2021 · Rambling Rose Nails & Make-Up